Hard Bushel of Crabs in the Severn

2nd Lt Salt Life and I headed out for some morning mid week crabbing on 12 July with high hopes.  Early season crabbing had exceeded expectations and with hot and humid temperatures there was no reason to expect a lull in the take.  2nd Lt wanted to head out earlier but I figured if we could get on the water by seven we would have plenty of time to catch a few dozen keepers.  (This time of year the male crabs must be a minimum of 5 inches....increasing to 5 1/4 inches on July 15)

For the sake of convenience and speed we deployed the 600' trot line in one of our usual spots in Whitehall Bay.  Getting the baited line in the water with the right tension and setting it as straight as possible is crucial to enabling the boat to travel up and down the line gently lifting the line from the bottom with the feeding crabs caught unawares. 

With the line set and about 5 minutes of "soaking time", we started on our first run with Joe at the helm and 2nd Lt Salt Life on the net.  Three runs later we still hadn't seen a single crab.  Decision time for the crew.

We opted to pull the line transition to the Severn River and try and look for an area along the shore in about 6 - 10 feet of water.  We found what we thought would be a suitable productive spot upriver from the Naval Academy.  By now we were outside of the ideal time to crab but the wind was manageable and we were eager so we reset the line.

Five minutes later we knew we were about to get busy.  The next hour saw an average of 6 crabs per run with some runs producing as many as 10 male keepers.  Some of the crabs were over 7 inches point to point.  Amazing!  Water clarity was excellent and the bottom was sand with patches of grass. An hour and a half after we began, we were still catching crabs but we had packed the bushel basket to the brim.  Great day on the water with my son and a great feast later that evening.  Mikey D Fishing looks forward to more crabbing like that this season!

Tight Lines -- Mikey D Fishing

Biggest Brown Yet!

Brown Trout 20" +

Fished the first fork of the Sinnemahoning just up from the bridge in Costello, where Freeman Run empties into the creek.  Was there a few days ago and saw trout literally jumping out of the water; have no idea why.  Managed 4 on the first trip; 12 inch Rainbows and Browns.  But there was a huge Brownie thrashing around the pool.  Couldn't get a hookup, although he attacked my Chernobyl Ant (was using it as a strike indicator, with a Frenchie dropper), and the take was so vicious that I panicked and pulled the fly right out of his mouth.

Joe came up for a couple of days and we headed back there last evening.  Again, fish jumping all around where the smaller creek empties into the first fork.  Again can't explain, there were no flies coming off the water.  Maybe there were so many trout that they were chasing each other.

Anyway, Joe hooked up first; 12 inch Rainbow.  Together we managed 10; Rainbows and Browns, and one Bream.  Again, a Frenchie dropped off of a Chernobyl Ant was the go to rig.  Final fish of the evening capped off the night.  Joe hooked into a nice Brownie, about a 15 incher.  While he was fighting it I decided to try for a double.  I hooked up what I knew was a big fish.  Fought him for about 5 minutes before I could get him to the net.  At first It looked like a big Brookie; a lot of red in the fish. But when we got him close enough it turned out to be a Brown.

Didn't have time to measure, as we needed to get him back into the water.  But easily went 20 inches.  Amazing fish.

Also explored some more of the Allegheny south of Roulette.  I think we found where all the trout have gone with the low water and high temps.  Also saw some really deep water under a bridge, and from the top of the bridge looking down saw a huge smalle; had to be at least 20 inches.  The locals say Walleye and Muskey are in these spots as well.  

We returned to one of those spots that resembled a mill pond although it was a part of the Allegheny on Saturday.  The fishing was slow but spotted large trout and carp.  Clearly a location with potential.  In the first hour working around the edges of the mill pond, we spotted a mink, a beaver, a couple of beavers and a wounded or rabid woodchuck who attempted to block our access to the water.  A couple of pokes with the walking stick sent Mr. Woodchuck along a different path.  A lot of great fishing in a short period of time.

Tight Lines---- Mikey D Fishing